15 Best Romantic Things to Do in Orange County

Take a Romantic Gondola Ride

There are numerous places to take a romantic gondola ride in Orange County. A cruise with Gondola Getaway drifts through Naples Islands in Long Beach, while Gondola Adventures departs from Newport Beach. All vendors have trips that last about one hour, although longer options are available, plus a variety of different romance packages to choose from. Choose the "antipasto cruise" with Gondola Adventures to snack on Italian appetizers while you sail, or surprise your partner with a personalized message in a bottle from Gondola Getaway, an unforgettable way to pop the question.

If you plan on taking a gondola ride, remember that Los Angeles gets much cooler at night, especially on the water, so bring a light jacket or cuddle up to stay warm.

Relax on a Champagne Cruise or Boat Tour

Staring out at the ocean from the beach isn't the only romantic thing to do along California's coastline: You could take a champagne brunch cruise, a sunset cruise, or go all out and charter a sailboat for a sunset sail. The Hornblower and Seaforth both offer brunch trips at various times during the week, while OC Boat Rental lets you take the boat out on your own.

For a little privacy, you can rent an electric Duffy to have a picnic cruising the Newport Harbor, or for something more energetic, rent kayaks to ply the still waters of the bay with just the two of you.

Admire the Sunset on a Helicopter Tour

There's no better way to see Orange County than by helicopter, and there are a number of tours that depart from nearby John Wayne Airport in Orange County.

Spots fill up quickly, especially in the heavy tourist seasons of winter and summer, so book well in advance to get a sunset spot on a romantic helicopter tour of the Orange County coast. Flights from vendors like OC Helicopters and Anaheim Helicopters typically range from a 10-minute "Get Your Feet Wet" tour to a 25-minute beach tour that includes views of downtown Los Angeles.

Spend a Day at the Beach

Southern California beaches are famous around the world for their unfailing warm temperatures and breathtaking views of the Pacific. Whether it's a sunset stroll, sharing a picnic, taking a horse-drawn carriage ride for two, or baring some skin on the sand, Orange County has a variety of beaches with different personalities. Almost all of the Orange County beaches are located within a 30-mile stretch along the scenic Highway 1, so it's easy to travel between them if you have a car.

Crystal Cove in Newport Beach is great for tidepool gazing, and the iconic hillside cottages overlooking the water are available to rent for overnight stays. Huntington Beach has carriages and tandem bikes to rent, while Laguna Beach is a picturesque spot for a romantic walk. Bolsa Chica State Beach is fantastic for surfing, Little Corona is somewhat isolated and offers more privacy, and Seal Beach has an excellent shopping strip that leads to the pier and sand. 

Take Private Dance Lessons

From swing and country two-step to the Latin dances of salsa and bachata, if you and your partner love dancing but don't quite know how to do these classic styles, there are plenty of classes for couples in Orange County.

You can sign up for private dance lessons at places like The OC Dance Studio, or take a public class together in a group setting if you're not ready for that level of intimate study at Dance All You Can. If you choose to do a group class, you can sign up for a progressive course if you're staying in the area or just drop in for a single class.

Learn to Paint (While Drinking Wine)

For a more casual evening of learning, drinking, and painting, you and your partner can attend an open session or private lesson at Brushstrokes in Tustin, which is just north of Irvine.

Advertised as the "Paint and Party Place," Brushstrokes makes for a relaxing evening to explore your creative side with a loved one, and you'll both go home with a tangible artistic memory of the night to hang on the wall. Attendees are welcome to bring refreshments and snacks to the lesson.

Enjoy an Intimate Dinner

Dinner for two in an elegant restaurant with a bottle of wine is still the prototypical idea for a romantic night out, and Orange County has plenty of desirable options with ocean views and exquisite menus.

For a fine-dining experience, the oceanfront Splashes Restaurant in the Surf and Sand Resort on Laguna Beach and Napa Rose at Disneyland in Anaheim are unbeatable choices. You could also stop by Walt's Wharf in Seal Beach or Luciana's Ristorante in Dana Point for a more affordable option without sacrificing the romantic ambiance.

Meet Mickey Mouse at Disneyland

A day trip to Disneyland is the perfect way to rediscover the magic of your youth with your partner in the "happiest place on earth." This theme park is by no means just for kids or families, and it's an increasingly popular option for couples on their honeymoons (evidenced by the many bride and groom Mickey Mouse hats you'll encounter in the park).

Couples with a good sense of fun can find all kinds of romance at the Disneyland Resort, from exploring the best places to kiss at Disneyland to fine dining at the Blue Bayou Restaurant, where you're seated on a dimly lit waterfront terrace with the "Pirates of the Caribbean" boats passing by.

Play at Balboa Fun Zone

If the crowds (or price point) at Disneyland is a bit too much for your ideal date, but you still want to spend the day wandering through an amusement park, try the Balboa Fun Zone Island on Newport Beach. 

One of the oldest Southern California beach amusement parks, the Balboa Fun Zone offers an old-timey Ferris wheel with views of the entire beach, arcade games, a bungee jump, a lovely walk by the Pacific Ocean on the Balboa Pier, restaurants, and several boutique shops.

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at the Candy Store

Too Sweet on Newport Beach's Balboa Island or Balboa Candy on the Balboa Penisula are a delicious way to end a date night.

At each store, you can browse through thousands of tasty confections and pick out the perfect dessert. Then head out to the nearby beach to catch the sunset over the waves while you enjoy a scrumptious candy, cake, or cookie. 

Retreat to the Resort at Pelican Hill

To spend a romantic getaway relaxed and pampered, the five-star, five-diamond Resort at Pelican Hill is one of the area's best all-inclusive vacation destinations. Located on over 500 acres of coastal land, the Resort at Pelican Hill features three miles of beaches at Crystal Cove, an iconic "Coliseum Pool," two ocean-view golf courses, and many seasonal events. Although the price is on the higher end, it's certainly worth every penny to share an unforgettable getaway.

Admire the Sunset View at Inspiration Point

Known as "The Crown of the Sea," the Corona Del Mar Beach is located just south of Newport Beach and offers one of the best views of the Pacific Ocean from Inspiration Point. This public park is lovely for an evening stroll, an afternoon of whale watching, or sitting on a park bench while taking in the views. There are also a few easy hiking trails located around the park should you want to work up a sweat before the sun goes down. 

Try Local Eats on an Old Towne Orange Food Tour

The Old Towne Orange Walking Food Tour is a tasty way to try small bites of the local cuisines while spending the whole day with your partner. Restaurants participating on the tour include local favorites like Citrus City Grille, Cafe Lucca, Felix Continental Cafe, and the historic Watsons Drug and Soda Fountain, which first opened in 1899. Alcohol is not included but can be purchased as some of the vendors you'll be stopping by.

Sample Orange County Wines

If you lean more toward liquid tours than food tours, try a tour of one of the many vineyards in Orange County. Choose from a variety of adventures with OC Wines like the Orange County tour, which brings guests to local favorites like Silverado Canyon's Giracci Vineyards and Rancho Las Lomas Winery. The latter includes a wildlife refuge where guests observe rescued animals while sipping on their wines.

If you're willing to travel a little farther, OC Wines also includes a package that takes visitors to the vineyards of Temecula for the day, Southern California's premier wine-producing region.

Stroll Around the Sherman Library and Botanical Gardens

Take advantage of California's climate and walk around Corona del Mar's Sherman Library and Botanical Gardens to enjoy a wide range of exotic and domestic plants and flowers. Although the library is only open on weekdays, the botanical gardens are open year-round (excluding holidays), and there's even a miniature garden gnome village to discover.

The on-site restaurant, Cafe Jardin, is open for brunch and lunch, as well as offering an afternoon tea service every second and last Wednesday of the month.